The suspect was killed by cops near the Capitol following a high speed chase from the White House, along Pennsylvania Ave., the same route the president walks typically walks following an inauguration.

A child was found unhurt in the woman's car, authorities said. The woman has not been identified. Police said there were no weapons found in the suspect's car.

"We heard shots. They told us to get behind a car," Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said as he re-entered the Capitol building just moments before it was placed on lockdown.

Secret Service pursued a suspect from the White House to the Capitol. One agent in a marked Secret Service vehicle was injured when the car in which he was chasing the suspect was upended by one of the Capitol's electronic barricades as it rose out of the ground.

An initial alert to lawmakers and staffers came around 2:25 p.m. A half hour later at 2:55 p.m., the lockdown was lifted. The Supreme Court was also briefly closed following reports of gunfire.

"Close, lock and stay away from external doors and windows. Take annunciators, emergency supply kits and escape hoods; and move to your office's assigned shelter in place location or the innermost part of the office away from external doors or windows," Capitol Police told Congressional staffers staffers in an email.

The Capitol this week is the center of a contentious political battle over an ongoing government shutdown.

I am with my staff on lockdown in our office. Trying to learn more. Appreciate all prayers for our law enforcement here.